Contentment II

Snow Hill, Antarctica – 2010 LARGE: 65” x 56” • 80” x 71” (Framed). Edition of 12 STANDARD: 43” x 37” • 58” x 52” (Framed). Edition of 12 This is a sister image to one that was first published in my book Wild Encounters. Ihave never talked with much enthusiasm about this photograph, because it wastaken in the middle of the day on a 300mm lens and the picture-postcard cliché issomething of an outlier for me. It is far from my favorite work, but the reality is that it resonates with many parents, and I do understand its popularity. In any case, it doesn’t really matter what the photographer thinks. We can sufferfrom being horribly subjective with our pet photographs and then miss the appealof images that others like. This photograph is popular presumably because it is cuteand allegorical. It is also in sharp focus, which was not a challenge on this day, asthere was so much light. The best light gives the cameraman freedom to dowhatever he likes. Emperor penguins are not easy to access. I